ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The family of a woman who was severely beaten by her caretaker believes her attacker received a light sentence.
Even judge said the two-year sentence Charles Hewett received seemed mild.
Hewett admitted guilt in the beating of Christine Rouse, a patient with cerebral palsy.
“He beat me until I thought I was going to die," said Rouse.
Orange County deputies said while in a transport van, Hewett punched and choked her, broke her jaw and both of her pinky fingers.
Deputies said he texted photos to coworkers with jokes like, "I will kill her. Lol."
As part of a plea agreement, Hewett was sentenced to two years in prison, despite the judge's reservations.
Rouse’s family said they were disappointed.
Channel 9 obtained a copy of the score sheet used by prosecutors to determine an appropriate sentence.
Channel 9 learned prosecutors deemed Rouse's injuries "moderate."
Based on that, the score sheet still called for a minimum of 48.9 months, which is more than double what Hewett received.
"The law defines severe injuries are injuries which cause great bodily harm. Certainly, there was great bodily harm inflicted on this victim,” WFTV legal analyst Bill Sheaffer said.
This man got 2 years for beating a woman. Prosecutors say her injuries were "moderate." https://t.co/WCGjkh1K7m pic.twitter.com/RaELrtrt3M
— Jeff Deal (@JDealWFTV) August 31, 2016
Channel 9 recalculated the score sheet, using "severe injury," which is the minimum recommended sentence and it came out to about 5-and-a-half years.
The State Attorney's Office wouldn't explain the scoring but sent this statement: "Each case is unique and is evaluated by an assistant state attorney. Based on the strengths and weaknesses of this case, a plea agreement was reached."
After Hewitt serves two years in prison, he will also be on probation for eight years.
If Hewitt gets in trouble during those eight years, he could face more time in prison.
Cox Media Group
